Clip to prevent dresses from blowing up

ABSTRACT

A dress securing clip prevents a dress from flying up in the air by wind. The clip can be made in various designs and can be used to gather the dress and take up slack in the dress, providing a smaller area under which wind can gather to push the dress upward.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to clips and, more particularly, to a clip that can prevent a woman's dress from blowing up.

In windy weather, dresses can catch the wind, causing them to blow upward, revealing a woman's legs and undergarments. This can be embarrassing and can be difficult to control, especially if the person is carrying objects with their hands and cannot reach down to hold their dress down over their legs.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device that can prevent a dress from blowing upward while still looking good and being easy to take on and off the dress.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a method for preventing a dress from lifting due to wind comprises applying a clip onto the dress, the clip gathering the dress and taking up slack in the dress to prevent wind from opening the dress and lifting the dress.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for preventing a dress from lifting due to wind comprises depressing first and second handle members causing first and second arm clamps to open against a spring force; gathering the dress between the first and second arm clamps; and applying the first and second arm clamps onto the dress, the first and second arm clamps gathering the dress and taking up slack in the dress to prevent wind from opening the dress and lifting the dress.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dress securing clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dress securing clip of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dress securing clip of FIG. 1, illustrating opening of the clip by depressing handles of the clip;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the dress securing clip of FIG. 3, in an open configuration; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of the dress securing clip of FIG. 2, in a closed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a dress securing clip that can prevent a dress from flying up in the air by wind. The clip can be made in various designs and can be used to gather the dress and take up slack in the dress, providing a smaller area under which wind can gather to push the dress upward.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, a dress securing clip 22 includes first and second handles 10 attached to first and second clamp arms 12. A resilient device, such as a spring 16 can provide a force to hole the first and second handles 10 apart, while holding the first and second clamp arms 12 together. A user can press the first and second handles 10 together, causing the first and second clamp arms 12 to open (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) against the resiliency of the resilient device (spring 16).

Pads 14, such as rubber foam pads, can be disposed at one or more locations along mating faces of the first and second clamp arms 12. The pads 14 can help prevent wrinkling of a dress 20 when the dress securing clip 22 is applied to the dress 20 by a user 18.

The dress securing clip 22 can be formed in various designs and colors. While the Figures show the handles 10 formed in a heart shape, various other shapes, sizes and colors for the handles 10 are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

The dress securing clip 22 can be made from various materials. Typically, the material will result in a lightweight device that does not add substantial weight to the dress, but, instead, functions by gathering the dress and limiting the area that a dress can “poof” up and allow wind to gather under to lift the dress.

In some embodiments, as shown in the Figures, the first and second claim arms 12 can be made in an arc shape with the first and second handles 10 disposed in a central region of the arc, along an outer edge thereof. This arc shape can provide a region to allow the gathered dress to be clamped in place. In this arc shape design, the pads 14 can be applied near each end of the mating faces of the first and second clamp arms 12.

To use the dress securing clip 22, the user 18 can squeeze the first and second handles 10 together, opening the first and second clamp arms 12. The dress 20 can be gathered and clipped together by releasing the first and second handles 10, causing the first and second clamp arms 12 to depress against the gathered dress 20. By gathering the dress 20, air cannot get under the dress to open the dress and raise it up. The user can place the dress securing clip on just before or when they get outside (or in any windy location) and then remove the clip when the threat of the dress being lifted from wind has subsided.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for preventing a dress from lifting due to wind, the method comprising: applying a clip onto the dress, the clip gathering the dress and taking up slack in the dress to prevent wind from opening the dress and lifting the dress.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: depressing first and second handle members causing first and second arm clamps to open against a force applied by a resilient member; and gathering the dress between the first and second arm clamps and allowing the first and second arm clamps to close on the gathered dress.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first and second arm clamps include pads disposed on mating surfaces of the first and second arm clamps.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first and second arm clamps are formed in an arc shape.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein pads are disposed on mating surfaces of the first and second arm clamps at ends of the arc shape thereof.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the resilient member is a spring.
 7. A method for preventing a dress from lifting due to wind, the method comprising: depressing first and second handle members causing first and second arm clamps to open against a spring force; gathering the dress between the first and second arm clamps; and applying the first and second arm clamps onto the dress, the first and second arm clamps gathering the dress and taking up slack in the dress to prevent wind from opening the dress and lifting the dress.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second arm clamps include pads disposed on mating surfaces of the first and second arm clamps.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second arm clamps are formed in an arc shape.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein pads are disposed on mating surfaces of the first and second arm clamps at ends of the arc shape thereof. 